I started seeing an acupuncturist while I was on bed rest in the hospital after giving birth to my first child. She asked what my postpartum care plan was. Honestly? I hadn’t thought about it. I figured I could hire a lactation coach or a night nurse if I needed one. Then she rephrased the question. “How are you going to take care of me?” yourself “Postpartum?” I certainly didn’t think about it now. Instead, my strategy was to hold on tight and try to survive. Luckily, she introduced me to a healing plan that included recipes for the first 40 days to help nourish me throughout my recovery.
The First 40 Days – The Essential Art of Raising a New Mom Written by Heng Ou It is a guide to postpartum recovery. It includes postpartum recipes as well as how to care for yourself after giving birth.
Featured image from our interview with Alex Taylor TL Thompson.
How to nourish your baby after giving birth
The first 40 days is based on Ou’s experience with Zuo Yuezhi. During the “isolation” period after birth, new mothers stay home to focus on healing and bonding with their babies. You guessed it, 40 days after birth. The book contains 60 simple and delicious recipes. They include everything from healing soups to complementary meals and snacks to soothing and lactation-enhancing teas. Each recipe is designed to meet the unique needs of new mothers.
I reached out to Ou to share some of her favorite recipes and advice. “Broths are a staple of any postpartum diet, and having them stocked in your fridge or freezer will be a lifesaver during those early days,” Ou told me. “Just heat up a pot of different broths, mix in your protein, vegetables, and noodles, and voila!”
The First 40 Day Recipes That Guided My Healing Journey
Our natural inclination is to eat healthy foods postpartum while we recover, but it’s actually more than just eating healthy foods. The types of foods we choose have a direct impact on our recovery. Tara Soulati LehreChef, Nutritionist and Co-Founder How you shine It says it best: “Cold foods are generally not easy to digest, but after giving birth, when your body is healing and trying to produce milk, you want to make digestion as easy as possible with warm foods to help your body heal and nourish itself.”
With that in mind, here are five postpartum recipes that I ate during my postpartum period. Make them for new moms-to-be. I promise they’ll be a hit.
Read more: Postpartum Meal Prep: The Complete Guide to Healing Foods
Grain-Free Overnight Oatmeal, 3 Ways
This overnight (grain-free) oatmeal is packed with nutrition. Oats help promote lactation, but not everyone digests them the same way. For new moms who have chosen the grain-free lifestyle, this delicious, nutritious breakfast is the perfect path. The basic mix combines nuts, seeds, and spices to keep you full and energized. From there, you can customize it however you like. Pear and granola, berries and cream, chocolate coconut crunch—the options are plentiful.
Keychari
Kitchari is a staple in Ayurvedic postpartum care. Soft and easy to digest, it is a great and comforting option for your postpartum diet. This meal feels like being wrapped in a warm and comforting hug. Think of it as a flavorful, anti-inflammatory alternative to chicken noodle soup. It’s delicious.
Adaptable Hot Chocolate
Who doesn’t love a functional snack? This is my go-to snack when I’m craving chocolate. Cacao is known to be a powerful heart opener in its own right. Combined with rose, which is known to bring love, healing, and compassion, this hot chocolate can also be used as a moment to take some time for yourself. If you gift the ingredients for these postpartum recipes to a new mom, include a note of encouragement. Who doesn’t love positive affirmations?
Simple Bone Broth
Broth is essential for postpartum recovery. Think of it as a superfood for recovering moms. Bone broth supports healthy brain function, combats fatigue, and supports skin and joints as hormone levels balance after birth. Trust me, it’s easier than you think!
Vegan Meatballs
One of my favorite postpartum dishes is meatballs. They check all the boxes! Mushrooms are a nutritional powerhouse, packed with essential vitamins and minerals, fiber, protein, and antioxidants. They’re also incredibly easy to make. You can make it in bulk, freeze it, and reheat it as needed.
